Former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida had another shot at the title at UFC 140 against Jon Jones, but got choked out in the second round. Four months later he was still waiting for another fight and was apparently starting to get antsy. He was recently booked against TUF 9 winner Ryan Bader at UFC on Fox 4 on August 4th but before that, he just wanted to fight. He was relieved by the Bader booking, and told Globo he was even willing to take a middleweight bout just to stay active (translation via Tom Mendes):

I was ready to fight but the opportunity was not there. The division is lacking, it’s a bit mixed, and I didn’t know, right (who would be my next opponent)? I even had the intention of fighting at 185lbs so I wouldn’t lose the opportunity of keeping busy. I spoke to Ed Soares and (Jorge Guimarães), but they told me to be patient.

...

Look, I’m a guy that usually weighs at most 96kg (211lbs), so I don’t think there would be a problem fighting (at middleweight). My objective is to fight at (205lbs), but to make a fight at middleweight would not be a problem.

First of all, Machida needs a new camp. I personally feel he has been kept away from the middle weight division for selfish reasons. He was willing to fight at middle weight and Soar tells him to be patient.

Machida is a true middle weight fighter. He said it himself - he only walks around 211 lbs. He could fight at middle weight or welter weight.

Anderson Silva walks around at a much heavier weight than Machida and he fights in middle weight. Do you guys see what is going on?

The one guy who could possibly beat Anderson is being kept away.

Machida, you need to wake up and smell the coffee. Your camp leader is doing a number on you. Your training partner is doing a number on you. When are you going to realize this..? You have been fooled.

I personally believe, at 185, Machida will be a dominant champion. It's too bad...By the time Machida realizes he has been screwed, it will have been too late.

If I'm Machida, I would attempt one more run at Jones. It would take stringing together a couple wins to get the chance and by that point, if he loses again, MW division could be ripe for the picking with Anderson likely on his way out the door.

I would personally like to see Machida down at MW right away cause I'm not very hopeful for his future with Jones at LHW and he would be a lot of fun to watch with some fresh contenders in MW.

Moving down in weight doesn't always gurantee success, but who knows. Machida vs. Belfort would be a classic.

It Gurantees only one thing and that is you will stand on a scale and be lighter. It drives me nuts when a guy loses and everyone is automaticly trying to get him to drop. All that being said I would love to see Machida at 185 and Andy jump to 205

Moving down in weight doesn't always gurantee success, but who knows. Machida vs. Belfort would be a classic.

It Gurantees only one thing and that is you will stand on a scale and be lighter. It drives me nuts when a guy loses and everyone is automaticly trying to get him to drop. All that being said I would love to see Machida at 185 and Andy jump to 205

I think for him rashad and shogun all, cutting the weight is fighting faster guys and Machida imo will fail against chael or Vitor. I hug his nuts close but I see a Brandon Vera effect.

Moving down in weight doesn't always gurantee success, but who knows. Machida vs. Belfort would be a classic.

It Gurantees only one thing and that is you will stand on a scale and be lighter. It drives me nuts when a guy loses and everyone is automaticly trying to get him to drop. All that being said I would love to see Machida at 185 and Andy jump to 205

I don't think the point most people are trying to make when they want to see someone move up or down is because they think the fighter will magically become better. I think it is because the respective fighter has usually exhausted his options in a division, but still may have championship potential and could find it elsewhere.

For example, Rich Franklin. After he lost to Silva a second time I wanted to see him move back up to LHW, not because I thought he would necessarily be better, but because at least he would have a chance to go for a belt and there would be a little more incentive.

As I said in my previous post, if I were Machida I would consider one more run at Jones as I think it's worth the attempt though he would have to string together some wins to get to that point. But if he loses that fight, MW would be interesting, and he may just want to consider making that move now while he is still a top competitor.